Wests Tigers suffered a disappointing 44-20 loss to the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium today in round 25 of the Telstra Premiership.

Fighting to regain their eighth place on the ladder following Canberra’s win over the Bulldogs on Friday night, Wests Tigers conceded five first half tries. The loss leaves Wests Tigers on 26 points (- 25 ) equal with Brisbane (+27) and two points behind Canberra (-11)

The match marked the 200th game for Wests Tigers lock Chris Heighington. Half-back Benji Marshall brought up the personal milestone of 1000 career points for the club in the loss.

The Roosters opened the scoring in the 13th minute when lock Frank Paul-Nuuausala slammed the ball down with one hand next to the posts after approval from the video referee. Five-eighth Braith Anansta – bound for Wests Tigers next season – converted the try for a 6-0 lead.

A crossfield kick by Anasta saw winger Daniel Tupou leap high to catch the ball to plant down in the 19th minute with winger Matt Utai underneath him. Anasta converted for a 12-0 lead.

It became 16-0 when centre Shaun Kenny-Dowell scored off a crossfield kick in the 23rd minute. Anasta converted for an 18-0 lead.

The video referee was again called on to rule a try to winger Roger Tuivasa-Sheck but the try was denied after his foot went over the sideline in the 26th minute.

The Roosters went to a 22-0 lead in the 28th minute when Anasta held up a short pass for centre Tautau Moga to slice through Gareth Ellis and Tim Moltzen. Anasta failed to convert the try.

Tupou scored his second try in the 33rd minute when he pounced on a grubber kick to score in the left corner for a 26-0 lead. Anasta failed to convert the try.

Wests Tigers had a chance to score in the 38th minute but winger Marika Koroibete was pushed into touch by half-back Mitchell Pearce.

2nd Half
The Roosters went to a 30-0 lead in the 42nd minute when Pearce scored out wide after the ball was kept alive off a crossfield kick by Anasta. The try was converted by Anasta for a 32-0 lead.

Wests Tigers opened their account in the 48th minute when half-back Benji Marshall went to the right side before shifting back to the left and running acrossfield before firing a superb cut out pass for winger Marika Koroibete to score out wide. Marshall failed to convert the try to leave Wests Tigers trailing 32-4.

Two minutes later, Wests Tigers centre Blake Ayshford slammed the ball down with one hand to leave the side trailing 32-8. Marshall failed to convert the try. From the re-start, prop Junior Moors knocked on in-goal to force a goal line drop out.

The Roosters punished Wests Tigers for the mistake when Tupou grabbed his third try by scoring next to the corner post for a 36-8 lead. Anasta converted the try for a 38-8 lead after 54 minutes.

Roosters full-back Anthony Minichiello celebrated his 250th game for the club when Pearce flicked the ball one handed to him after crossing the line to make it 42-8. Anasta converted the try for a 44-8 lead after 67 minutes. Marshall was placed on report for a suspected forearm on Roosters prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.

Heighington marked his 200th game when he finished off a play by scoring next to the posts in the 71st minute. Marshall converted the try for a 44-14 scoreline. Marshall has now scored 999 points for the club.

Marshall reached the 1000 points milestone for the club when he converted a try to second-rower Ben Murdoch-Masila after full-time for the 44-20 scoreline.

Wests Tigers half-back Benji Marshall firmly believes the side can still make the finals with a win over Melbourne Storm at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday, September 1.

Speaking after the disappointing 44-20 loss to the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium that keeps Wests Tigers in ninth spot, Marshall says the side must stick together and work harder on their execution and defence.

Marshall was placed on report for a suspected forearm on Roosters prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.

“I’ve got a belief in our team that we are good enough. We just didn’t execute it today,’’ said Marshall, who became the first Wests Tigers player to reach 1000 club/career points with two goals today.

“Melbourne is going to be a completely different proposition. We are going to have to pull ourselves together and stick together as a team.

“No matter what happens with the rest of the comp, we have to win. “

Wests Tigers Head Coach Tim Sheens said every player contributed to the mistakes made against the Roosters but it wasn’t from a lack of trying.

“Every penalty, every drop ball and every mistake we didn’t defend. That’s pretty disappointing,’’ he said.

“We are no chance of beating Melbourne unless we turn that around by 300 per cent. We have got a lot of work to do this week.”

They started the year as favourites for the NRL premiership, but Wests Tigers will almost certainly start their Mad Monday celebrations next week after going down 44-20 to the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium.

Requiring a win to move above Brisbane into eighth spot, Tim Sheens' side now need to topple second-placed Melbourne at Leichhardt on Saturday and hope lowly Penrith beat the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium 24 hours earlier to have any hope of playing in the finals.

A hat-trick from giant winger Daniel Tupou, in only his second NRL game, laid the foundations for the win as Brian Smith's side marked Anthony Minichiello's 250th game in style by running in eight tries.
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The Tigers, who were without skipper Robbie Farah due to a broken hand, were never at the races in the first half as the Roosters opened up a 26-0 lead by the break - their highest-scoring opening period since round 18 in 2008.

Frank-Paul Nuuausala opened the floodgates in the 13th minute before Tupou grabbed his first, hauling in a Braith Anasta kick to the corner and brilliantly putting the ball down.

Tim Moltzen then booted the kick-off out on the full and from the resulting penalty, Shaun Kenny-Dowall scored in the right corner to leave the Tigers shellshocked.

Young centre Tautau Moga and Tupou went over before the interval to stretch the advantage further for the hosts, with Anasta, playing his final home game before joining the Tigers next year, kicking three goals.

The second half started in a similar fashion with Mitchell Pearce finishing off a move that had a suspicion of obstruction about it after he ran behind decoy runner Minichiello, to score and end the game as a contest.

Stand-in Tigers skipper Benji Marshall did his best to try and inspire his side, firing a brilliant cut-out pass to Marika Koroibete for the visitors' first try of game and Blake Ayshford scored his fourth of the season shortly after.

But there was to be no second-half capitulation from the Roosters with Tupou grabbing his third after Junior Moors dropped the ball under his own posts from the kick-off.

Minichiello got in on the scoring act 13 minutes from time, much to the delight of the crowd after some unselfish play from Pearce, who crossed the line but flicked a pass so the veteran fullback could touch the ball down.

The Tigers finished with some pride, scoring two late tries as Chris Heighington marked his 200th game with a four-pointer before Ben Murdoch-Masila crossed.

Marshall was put on report for a high shot on Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.

Wests Tigers half-back Benji Marshall firmly believes the side can still make the finals with a win over Melbourne Storm at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday, September 1.

Speaking after the disappointing 44-20 loss to the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium that keeps Wests Tigers in ninth spot, Marshall says the side must stick together and work harder on their execution and defence.

Marshall was placed on report for a suspected forearm on Roosters prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.

“I’ve got a belief in our team that we are good enough. We just didn’t execute it today,’’ said Marshall, who became the first Wests Tigers player to reach 1000 club/career points with two goals today.

“Melbourne is going to be a completely different proposition. We are going to have to pull ourselves together and stick together as a team.

“No matter what happens with the rest of the comp, we have to win. “

Wests Tigers Head Coach Tim Sheens said every player contributed to the mistakes made against the Roosters but it wasn’t from a lack of trying.

“Every penalty, every drop ball and every mistake we didn’t defend. That’s pretty disappointing,’’ he said.

“We are no chance of beating Melbourne unless we turn that around by 300 per cent. We have got a lot of work to do this week.”

Wests Tigers half-back Benji Marshall firmly believes the side can still make the finals with a win over Melbourne Storm at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday, September 1.

Speaking after the disappointing 44-20 loss to the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium that keeps Wests Tigers in ninth spot, Marshall says the side must stick together and work harder on their execution and defence.

Marshall was placed on report for a suspected forearm on Roosters prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.

“I’ve got a belief in our team that we are good enough. We just didn’t execute it today,’’ said Marshall, who became the first Wests Tigers player to reach 1000 club/career points with two goals today.

“Melbourne is going to be a completely different proposition. We are going to have to pull ourselves together and stick together as a team.

“No matter what happens with the rest of the comp, we have to win. “

Wests Tigers Head Coach Tim Sheens said every player contributed to the mistakes made against the Roosters but it wasn’t from a lack of trying.

“Every penalty, every drop ball and every mistake we didn’t defend. That’s pretty disappointing,’’ he said.

“We are no chance of beating Melbourne unless we turn that around by 300 per cent. We have got a lot of work to do this week.”

Benji thank you for your confidence, you have just convinced me we are a chance hahahaha!!!!!!
Trying telling the supporters that the side had a meeting after the game and would like to refund every Tigers supporters ticket , that attend the game . Tell yourself BS but not the supporters.

It depends who you talk to on this Forum, if you are Optimistic? it's because your delusional and need a reality check. If you are Pessimistic? Your accused of being a negative Nancy and to go and follow another Club.

Five things we learnt from the Tigers v Roosters match
August 27, 2012
Glenn Jackson

1. The motivation of reaching the finals is overrated
The events of yesterday proved this again. The Tigers had everything to play for, yet they could not produce. The Gold Coast also failed this weekend with everything on the line, and the Warriors have produced their worst football when the stakes were at their highest over the past seven weeks. Perhaps the pressure affects some. The Tigers, who normally thrive in must-win situations, were awful in the first half, looking anything but a team hell-bent on salvaging their season.

2. Martin Kennedy is a future rep star
The performances of Roosters front-rowers Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Kennedy was stunning. Both played long minutes and, importantly, made them count. Kennedy was exceptional, running for 181 metres from 20 hit-ups, while also making 33 tackles. Their efforts put the Roosters on the front foot – and kept them there.

3. The ‘‘kick to Matt Utai’’ option is an oldie but a goody
Utai’s one of the smallest wingers in the game, and Daniel Tupou had a field day against him. He scored his first try with a leap from a Braith Anasta kick – Utai did not even attempt a jump, instead opting to try and tackle his opposite. The Roosters had more success when another kick was sent in the direction of Utai early in the second half. Beau Ryan provided cover, but Utai held back. The Roosters came down with possession and halfback Mitchell Pearce subsequently scored.

4. The Roosters know how to unearth class out wide
Tautau Moga, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Daniel Tupou have been blooded with success this year. The latter scored a hat-trick in just his second match. We have been reminded all year that the Roosters are a young side with potential and while those with itchy feet have been disappointed in their season, there is little doubt they will have a strong roster in coming years with new blood alongside young blood.

5. Mitchell Pearce is a generous chap
He could have grabbed the glory himself, but the halfback proved he was no, ahem, party-pooper when, in the 66th minute, he handed fullback Anthony Minichiello a try in his 250th match when he was over the line himself. Well played to both of them. It was a nice moment.

What happened to the football team that pushed the competition frontrunners deep into golden-point extra-time 10 days ago?

The Wests Tigers were missing skipper Robbie Farah, but if they can't get themselves up when a position in the top eight is on the line against a team that was battling to avoid the wooden spoon a fortnight ago, they don't deserve to play finals football.

Not even the Warriors' dramatic fall from grace rivals the underachievement of the Wests Tigers this year. Bundled out of title contention in heartbreaking fashion the past two years, they came into this season as premiership favourites. They have failed to live up to those lofty expectations all year, but yesterday afternoon they stooped to a new low against an inspired Roosters outfit.

Their semi-final hopes took a huge hit in the humiliating 44-20 defeat and, while they can still sneak into the finals, one can only imagine it would be a pointless exercise given what we saw from them in a horror afternoon at Allianz Stadium.

The Tigers (-25 differential) will head into the last-round game against Melbourne in ninth position, equal on 26 points with eighth-placed Brisbane (+27) and a win behind seventh-placed Canberra (-11).

While stand-in captain Benji Marshall, who faces suspension for a forearm to the head of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, has faith in his team to get the job done, he admitted it would be a tough ask against one of the premiership heavyweights.

''I've got belief in the team that we are good enough, but Melbourne next week is going to be a totally different proposition,'' he said. ''We are going to have to pull ourselves together and it doesn't matter about the rest of the comp, we are going to have to win.''

Tim Sheens would have been pulling his hair out as his team committed enough errors, not to mention the penalties conceded, to lose two games of football. ''Was there a mistake we didn't make?'' he asked.

They sent the ball over the dead-ball line from a kick-off, threw the ball dead from a scrum, gave away possession on the first tackle on three occasions and put in a heartless effort in defence. Even when a flicker of a comeback beckoned, Junior Moors dropped the ball from the kick-off to put an end to that.

On a dark day for the joint venture, the tri-colours celebrated Anthony Minichiello's 250th game and Braith Anasta's last match on home soil as a Rooster in style.

Unfortunately Chris Heighington won't have any fond memories of his 200th NRL appearance, despite crossing for a try in the second half.

But rookie Roosters winger Daniel Tupou won't forget it any time soon, grabbing a hat-trick on a breakthrough afternoon.

''He's played all his footy this year at Newtown, I think he scored 20 tries this year at the Jets,'' coach Brian Smith said. ''He's just played the last two games and he'll certainly be playing next week. He's got big things in front of him.''